Stoush highlights 'troubled relations'

The islands - known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China - are among several contested territories considered possible flashpoints in the region, as countries attempt to maximise control over underwater resources and China looks to project its influence beyond its borders.

China's defence ministry issued a statement 11 hours after the US announcement saying its military "monitored the entire process" of the B-52 flights, without expressing regret or anger or threatening direct action.

US vice-president Joe Biden plans to raise objections over the zone during a long-planned visit to the region next week.

Abbott stands by Bishop's criticism of zone

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has also voiced objections to the zone, saying the timing and manner of China's announcement was unhelpful and would not contribute to regional stability.

China lashed out at Ms Bishop's comments, labelling them "irresponsible" and "mistaken", and warning they risked "damaging China-Australia relations".

There was no media access to the hearing, but outside, he signalled that Australia may be in for a long wait for relations to be fully repaired after the spying scandal.

Indonesia correspondent George Roberts told Lateline it is more likely to be months than weeks before cooperation is restored.

"Some members of the Foreign Affairs Commission walked away from today's closed session, saying that they think it could be years because of the depth of disappointment with Australia's response and also the news of the spying," Roberts said.

"If you look at the most recent agreement they tried to strike in September, 2012, that should have been finalised by January, 2013, to allow boats and planes to come into Indonesian space to help out with rescues.

"It's November, nearly December, that still hasn't been finalised - so more than a year.

"And other people are pointing to the next bilateral meeting between the president and the Prime Minister isn't until late 2014."

Moscow's words and actions — including the alleged poisoning of a former spy — are not the results of random aggression but rather fall into distinct patterns that can help us anticipate Russia's next moves under Vladimir Putin.